Reigning Canadian curling champion Matt Dunstone has announced an exciting addition to his Winnipeg-based team for the upcoming season. Veteran curler Mark Nichols will join his lineup, replacing E.J. Harnden, who recently announced his retirement from full-time competitive curling.
Team Announcement and Expectations
The official announcement came on Monday, and Dunstone expressed his enthusiasm for Nichols joining the team. He stated, “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Mark to the team. He’s one of the most accomplished and respected players in the game.”
Dunstone emphasized that Nichols’ competitive mindset and extensive experience align perfectly with the team’s goals. The team’s aims include defending their Brier title and returning to the World Championships.
Key Achievements of Matt Dunstone’s Team
This season, Dunstone’s team, which includes third Colton Lott and lead Ryan Harnden, had a successful run:
- Won the AMJ Masters in September
- Finished as runners-up in two Grand Slam of Curling events
- Lost in the best-of-three final series at the Canadian Olympic curling trials against Team Jacobs in November
- Dunstone captured his first Canadian men’s title at the Montana’s Brier in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Earned a silver medal at the World Men’s Curling Championship on April 4 in Ogden, Utah
Mark Nichols’ Impressive Background
Mark Nichols brings substantial experience to the team, having spent many years as the third for renowned skip Brad Gushue. Nichols, 46, boasts an impressive record:
- Two Olympic medals: one gold and one bronze
- World Men’s Curling Championship medals: one gold and four silvers
- Six Brier titles
- 16 Grand Slam of Curling titles, with 15 alongside Gushue and one with legendary skip Jeff Stoughton
Upon joining Dunstone’s team, Nichols expressed his excitement, stating, “After a very rewarding journey with Team Gushue, starting this new chapter with Team Dunstone feels like the perfect next step.”
Looking Ahead
As the defending champion, Dunstone is guaranteed an auto-berth spot at next year’s Brier in Saskatoon. With Mark Nichols on board, the team aims to strengthen its competitive edge and pursue new achievements on the world stage.
